Monday, June 08, 2015

Sabah Quake : Day of National Remembrance for Singapore

PM Lee Hsien Loong has declared 8 June, a Day of National Remembrance for Singapore. State flags on all Government buildings are flown at half-mast. One minute of silence will be observed at the beginning of the day at all SEA Games venues.

So heart breaking to learn that 8 bodies recovered from Mount Kinabalu have been identified as 1 teacher and 6 students from Tanjong Katong Primary School (TKPS), and an adventure guide who was with them. As a mother, my heart aches badly for the parents of the 6 children who perished at such young tender ages.

Thanks to the Malaysian authorities, the search and rescue teams and hospital staff in KK, and all our officers in KK and Singapore who are working tirelessly in the rescue and recovery efforts.

DPM Tharman and Education Minister Heng Swee Kiat arriving at TKPS

Together with hundreds of Singaporeans, I visited the Condolence Site at Tanjong Katong Primary School's (TKPS) this afternoon to pay my tribute. DPM Tharman and Education Minister Heng Swee Kiat arrived a while later.

Please pray for those that have yet to be found ... 2 more Singaporeans are out there. Deepest condolences to the parents of the victims. May the families and students of TKPS get strength during this difficult time.

When an earthquake occurred on the early morning of 5 June, Mount Kinabalu was affected. A group of 30 local mountain guides (mainly Dusuns of Ranau) geared up for a rescue mission of stranded climbers up on top of the mountain.

Notice the size of the boulder that fell. Three mountain guides were seen heading up to provide assistance. The falling rocks from above completely wiped out the original wooden staircase. Climbers were stranded for nearly an hour while the mountain guides slashes trees and create a safe new path for the climbers to descend.

The route at Mount Kinabalu were covered by fallen rocks and boulders. Rescuers and stranded climbers have to pass though the debris field.

Two mountain guides Robbi Sapingg and Joseph Selungin died while helping climbers. The mountain guides are going beyond their duties, risking their lives in order to continue the rescue mission.

Photo credit : Safrey Sumping Ssp

Photo credit : MountKinabalu.com

I salute all these unsung heroes of Friday's quake. On behalf of Singapore, I thank all of you!